Cigar-storage case.



(No Model.)

Patented June 24, I902. J. 8., CUNWELL.

CIGAR STORAGE CASE.

(Application filed Feb. 2Q, 1902.)

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UNiED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES SIMPSON OONWELL, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE WILKE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, A COR- PORATION.

ClGAR-STORAG E CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,114, dated June 24, 1902.

Application filed February 26, 1902. Serial No. 95689. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES SIMPsoN CON- WELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Anderson, in the county of Madison and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in OigarStorage Cases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved cigarmoistening case.

The object of my invention is to provide a cigar-moistening case the interior of which shall consist of inorganic material which is a non-conductor of heat and a portion of which material shall consist of suitably-distributed blocks or strips of an inorganic material which is porous on its interior surface and adapted to readily absorb and hold moisture and glazed on its exterior surface, so as to be waterproof, whereby the moisture is confined to the interior of the case. Unglazed tile is a suitable inorganic hygroscopic material, the one which I preferably employ for this purpose.

The general features of construction and design of my cigar-case resemble the refrigerator patent granted to Frederick A. Wilke, No. 641,421, on the 16th day of January, 1900.

Other novel features peculiar of this invention will be more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a front perspective view of my improved case. Fig. 2 is a-central vertical cross-section with shelves removed.

A represents the exterior face, and B the interior face, of the case, composed of the tile blocks a, secured to opposite sides of an intermediate frame O by means of bolts 17, substantially as shown in the said Wilke patent.

0 represents the binding-strips.

D represents the base, and E the door.

F represents the door-locking handle.

G H represent the shelves.

I represents a packing, of any suitable heatnon-conducting material, between the outer and inner walls of the case.

On the bottom of the case are the unglazed tile blocks d, which are porous, and consequently hygroscopic. The bottom is composed of tile blocks set face down, and the under side or exterior surfaces of the blocks,

which rest on the frame of the structure, are glazed, so as to be impervious to moisture. Also tar-paper e is inserted directly in rear of the interior tile-block lining as a heat insulation. By making the exterior surface of theinterior lining-blocks glazed and the interior surface porous the lining of the case is hygroscopic on its interior face and impervious to moisture on its exterior face. By this simple method the cigars may be maintained in a properly-moistened condition and at the same time the moisture prevented from going through and leaking into the insulation between the double tile walls.

Ordinarily a moistened sponge or pan of water is the means used for preserving the moisture of cigars in storage. This method, however, is subject to several disadvantages. The water rapidly evaporates, having to be renewed. It is impossible to obtain a uniformity of moisture, and, again, it results in the presence of an organic compound in the case, the decomposition of which generates noxious gases deleterious to the flavors of fine cigars.

My improvement preserves a uniformity of temperature and moisture and eliminates all organic bodies from the presence of the cigars in storage. Also the inorganic absorbent blocks will maintain a given amount of moisture aconsiderable time, keeping the air in a constantly proper condition.

Having described my invention, I claim- A tobacco-tempering case consisting of a double-wall tile refrigerator the interior tile blocks of which are glazed on their exterior surface to be impervious to moisture, the interior surfaces of which are left unglazed to present a uniform hygroscopic surface on the interior of the case, and a door also provided with tile blocks, adapted to register with said interior lining to form a continuous lining,

efiectually sealing the interior of the case JAMES SIMPSON OONWELL.

Witnesses:

OLIVER B. KAISER, IDA J. LUCAS. 

